Wrist Health and Chiropractic Therapy

In 2021, 40% of occupational injuries in the Philippines involve the wrists and hands. Nowadays, our wrists endure unprecedented strain. From constant keyboard typing to smartphone swiping, these complex but relatively small joints work continuously. While many Filipinos turn to conventional treatments when experiencing wrist pain and dysfunction, chiropractic therapy provides a comprehensive approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the root causes of the problem.

Wrist Anatomy and Common Issues

The wrist is a marvel of anatomical engineering, eight small carpal bones in two rows connecting the forearm to the hand. This complex structure allows for better mobility while maintaining stability. But this complexity also makes the wrist prone to many conditions:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): The most well known wrist condition, CTS occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel causing numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and fingers.
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): Common in office workers, RSI develops from repetitive movements that cause inflammation of tendons and nerves.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This painful condition affects the tendons on the thumb; making thumb movements and gripping difficult.
• Wrist Sprains: Usually from falls or sports injuries sprains occur when ligaments are stretched or torn.
• Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the wrist causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

How Chiropractic Therapy Addresses Wrist Health

Chiropractic therapy takes a different approach to wrist health by looking at the relationship between structure and function. Rather than just treating symptoms chiropractors aim to restore proper alignment and movement throughout the body which often resolves the underlying causes of wrist pain.

Full Assessment

Chiropractic treatment for wrist health starts with a full assessment. Unlike other treatments that might focus only on the wrist, chiropractors look at:

• Wrist joint alignment and movement
• Forearm muscle balance
• Elbow and shoulder function
• Neck and upper back posture
• Overall nervous system function

This holistic view allows chiropractors to find contributing factors that might be missed in other approaches. For example, poor neck posture can affect nerve function all the way down to the wrist and cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractic Therapy for the Wrist

The foundation of chiropractic care is the adjustment—a specific, controlled force applied to joints to restore proper movement and alignment. For wrist conditions, chiropractors may do:

• Carpal bone adjustments: For carpal tunnel syndrome, gentle manipulation of the small bones in the wrist to align and reduce nerve pressure.
• Forearm adjustments: Addressing restrictions in the radius and ulna (forearm bones) that affect wrist function.
• Elbow and shoulder adjustments: Ensuring proper function of the entire upper extremity kinetic chain.
• Spinal adjustments: Correcting misalignments in the neck and upper back that may be irritating nerves to the wrist.

Research supports this. A 2018 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found chiropractic care was more effective for pain and function in carpal tunnel syndrome patients than medical care alone.

Soft Tissue Techniques

Beyond bony adjustments, chiropractic care for wrist health often includes:

• Myofascial release: Manual therapy to reduce tension in the forearm and hand muscles that contribute to wrist strain.
• Trigger point therapy: Addressing specific points of muscle tension that refer pain to the wrist.
• Cross-friction massage: Breaking up adhesions in tendons and promoting healing.
• Graston technique: Using specialized tools to detect and treat areas of soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

Rehab Exercises

Chiropractic care doesn’t end with in-office treatment. Chiropractors prescribe exercises to:

• Strengthen weak muscles supporting the wrist
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Enhance proprioception (position sense)
• Restore normal movement patterns

These exercises are tailored to the patient’s specific condition and progress over time as they heal.

Wrist Problems with Chiropractic Guidance

Prevention is key in chiropractic. For wrist health chiropractors offer guidance on:

• Ergonomics: Keyboard and mouse positioning, desk height, chair setup to reduce strain.
• Work habits: Regular breaks, stretching routines, vary tasks to prevent repetitive strain.
• Postural correction: Forward head posture and rounded shoulders that impinge nerves from the neck down.
• Nutritional advice: Reduce inflammation through diet to support tissue healing and prevent chronic conditions.

Chiropractic vs Conventional Approaches

Traditional medical approaches to wrist pain include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Wrist splints or braces
• Surgery in severe cases

While these may provide temporary relief they address symptoms not causes. Medications may mask pain without fixing the underlying dysfunction and surgery carries risks and can create scar tissue that limits future function.

Chiropractic therapy on the other hand seeks to restore normal physiology and function potentially eliminating the need for more invasive interventions. Many patients find the said treatment provides lasting relief without the side effects of medications or the risks of surgery.

Integrating Chiropractic into Your Wrist Health Plan

For optimal wrist health consider:

• Early intervention: See a chiropractor at the first sign of wrist discomfort rather than waiting until pain becomes severe.
• Consistency: Follow your chiropractor’s recommended treatment schedule to allow tissue healing and functional restoration.
• Home care compliance: Do the exercises and follow ergonomic recommendations between visits.
• Whole body approach: Address overall health factors like nutrition, stress and sleep that affect your body’s healing capacity.
• Preventive maintenance: Consider periodic chiropractic check-ups even after symptoms resolve to maintain function.

Conclusion

Wrist problems have become more common in our technology driven world. Chiropractic care offers a different approach by addressing not just the symptoms but the structural and functional issues that cause wrist pain and dysfunction. By aligning, moving and functioning the body as a whole chiropractors help patients achieve lasting relief without the side effects of medications or the risks of surgery.See a chiropractor with extremity experience if you have wrist pain or want to prevent future problems. They can help you get back to work and daily life with ease.

Don’t let wrist pain hold you back any longer. Contact Posture Perfect Chiropractic today for a full assessment. Let us help you get back to comfort and mobility. 

Are you a new patient? Visit our New Patient Portal and we’ll make it a perfect chiropractic experience for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions